press release
Jul 30, 2026
WATCH: Josh Turek Plays Game of I-O-W-A with President Obama in New Video
WATCH: Josh Turek Plays Game of I-O-W-A with President Obama in New Video
President Obama announces support of Josh’s IA-SEN bid: “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa. Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.”
DES MOINES — Today, the Josh Turek for Iowa campaign released “Who’s Got Next,” a digital video featuring President Barack Obama announcing his support for Josh’s U.S. Senate campaign.
In the video, Josh and President Obama play I-O-W-A (a variation of H-O-R-S-E) while discussing the all-time basketball greats, the magic of Iowa, and the hope that is returning as Iowans from across the political spectrum are ready to make a generational change and send Josh to the U.S. Senate.
Josh is a four-time Paralympian and two-time gold medalist in wheelchair basketball. Nearly ten years ago, President Obama welcomed Josh and his Team USA teammates to the White House after bringing home our country’s first gold medal in wheelchair basketball in nearly 30 years. President Obama has a unique understanding of Iowa, a state he won twice that kicked off his path to the presidency.
“I’ve seen enough. Not only did I get whooped, but you’ve got here a man of character, somebody who knows how to win,” says President Obama in the video. “Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa. Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.”
“Everywhere we go, urban areas, rural areas, people are ready for change,” says Josh in the video. “I’ll tell you what, people all across Iowa are saying that they’re feeling that hope, that optimism for the first time in a long time.”
President Obama’s support comes as Josh’s momentum continues to build in Iowa. Just last week, Fox News rated Iowa’s U.S. Senate race a toss up with the latest polls showing Josh leading Republican Ashley Hinson by four points. Throughout the summer, Josh has crisscrossed the state on his “Team Iowa Tour,” winning over Republicans, farmers, veterans, educators, rural leaders, small business owners, and more.
Read the transcript for “Who’s Got Next” here:
[Josh] Ball game! Who’s got next?
[Obama] I got it! You ready for me Josh?
[Josh] I’m ready!
[Obama] Let’s go, we playing H-O-R-S-E or what?
[Josh] We’re playing I-O-W-A.
[Obama] I know a little something about winning Iowa.
[Josh] Now, here we go!
[Obama] We ready? C’mon, I’m not just gonna give it away.
*Josh shoots a three-pointer
[Obama] That thing is silky smooth.
[Josh] Thousands of hours of practice.
[Obama] You were the shooter?
[Josh] Four-time Paralympian, two-time gold medalist.
[Announcer] “Back to back gold medals!”
[Obama] I told you I’m not just gonna give it away to you, you got to earn this thing.
[Josh] We’ll back up a little bit. “I”
[Obama] See, this is just going to put some pressure on me. Let’s see if the bank’s open.
[Obama] Oh, bank was closed!
[Josh] I wasn’t going to let you win. “O”
[Obama] C’mon now.
[Josh] You have a Mount Rushmore?
[Obama] I do think Jordan’s the GOAT. I think LeBron’s probably number two. I think Kareem is probably number three. Oh c’mon, I thought I had that!
[Josh] “W”
[Obama] I’d have to put Magic at four.
[Josh] I’ve got Russell after that and then I think I’d go Kareem.
[Josh] That’s good.
*Josh hits the shot
[Obama] He’s calling it now. So you like that three pointer?
[Josh] Hey, you shoot where you want.
[Obama] Alright, let’s go! Tell me how things are going out there.
[Josh] Everywhere we go, urban areas, rural areas, people are ready for change.
[Obama] Oh I thought I had that one, I think that’s I-O-W-A right there buddy.
[Obama] A lot of people have heard me say this, of all the things I’ve done in politics, Iowa was my favorite thing.
[Obama] There was just a magic about regular folks showing up in gyms like this, and just talk it out. How do we move our state forward, how do we move the country forward.
[Josh] I’ll tell you what, people all across Iowa are saying that they’re feeling that hope, that optimism for the first time in a long time.
[Obama] That’s my sense, that’s what I think is going to happen.
[Obama] I’ve seen enough. Not only did I get whooped, but you’ve got here a man of character, somebody who knows how to win.
[Obama] Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa. Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.
[Josh] Tell you what, he’s a good shooter. I was impressed.